A literature festival in Lucknow by the LGBTQIA community

Despite the low turnout at the

Awadh Queer Literature festival

, the organisers’ enthusiasm was on an all-time high. In a first, such a festival was organised in Lucknow recently at Baudh Santhan in Gomti Nagar which saw members of the

LGBTQIA

community in large numbers.

(L)

Akshay Tyagi

(R) Arpita and Rashika (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
The event screened a few short films and debates over the same topic. Many people, including politicians, social workers and members from the community were present among the speakers. The topics of discussion ranged from the LGBTQIA community and religion, politics, and job for the community members in the private sector.

Darvesh Singh Yadavendra

, the organiser of the event, looked after the arrangements.

(L) Basant Kumar (R) Darvesh Singh Yadavendra (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
Also spotted at the event was RJ Prateek, who was one of the panelists, said, “We have had several literature festivals in Lucknow in the past but this was something unique because we talked about the issues that the LGBTQIA community faces.”

(L) Lovepreet Singh (R) Madhavi Kuckreja (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
Suhail Abbasi who was the director of one of the films screened at the event, shared, “It feels really nice to be a part of this festival. In fact, this is an excellent initiative where people from different walks of life are talking about change.”

(L) Mohini Dubey (R) Nighat Gandhi and Maya Sharma (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
The first day of the event was wrapped up with a dastangoi performance based on the story of the year1942 called Lihaaf performed by Basant Kumar.
The highlight of the second day of the lit fest was the fashion show wherein members of the community walked the ramp which was judged by collegian Preet Joshi, and social activist Akshay and Lisa.
— Saad Abbasi

(L) RJ Prateek (R) Sharda Kodukula (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)

(L) Shehla Ghanim (R) Syed Raza Hussain Zaidi (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)